The Naked City Blog

Exploring life in the city – Charlotte – and the greater metro region. Looking at urban design, transportation, growth, the built environment and more.

Mary Newsom is a lifelong journalist and observer of city life in the Charlotte region and beyond, with a focus on urban design, sustainable development, growth and city planning. She is associate director of urban and regional affairs at the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute. Her blog reflects her views only, not necessarily those of the institute or of UNC Charlotte.
Contact: mnewsom@uncc.edu.

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Friday, October 19, 2012

Real estate data geeks, happy reading

The annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate Report is out for 2013, courtesy of the Urban Land Institute (no, it is NO relation to my employer, the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute). Click here to download a PDF copy.

A few quickie highlights: Among "Markets to Watch," Charlotte ranks No. 17, Raleigh No. 11. The top five, in order: San Francisco, New York, San Jose, Austin, Houston. You'll find the remarks about Raleigh on Page 40, and Charlotte on Page 42.

The report praises Charlotte's "high quality of life, low cost of business and world-class international airport" and calls it "one of the stronger secondary markets to watch." However, it also notes that "some interviewees still have concerns: 'Charlotte is subject
to what banks do,' and 'We see Charlotte as a risky metro in spite of a
relatively strong economy, due to its dependence on two large banks.'

Overall, the report says, expect the continued "low-gear real estate recovery," and "modest gains." Don't be looking for quick wins, it cautions developers and investors.